This morning’s devotion from My Utmost for His Highest had me doing some soul-searching. Oswald Chambers wrote about how, in the beginning of our faith walk, there are blessings and excitement—but as we mature, life becomes more ordinary and we learn to live out our faith in the mundane.
I believe that’s true in many ways, but as I read, I found myself praying, “Lord, is it wrong that I still feel joy and see Your blessings everywhere?” I never want pride to lead me astray. In the past, I’ve been guilty of thinking I was the exception—like maybe God would let me keep my raging fire or my little habits and still serve Him fully. I was wrong about that. So now when something doesn’t seem to fit my life, I pause, search my heart, and ask Him to show me truth.
As I prayed, He gently reminded me of something.
“You don’t live in the mundane anymore, not because your life is different, but because your eyes are.”
That hit me deep. Because He’s right—my life isn’t always easy or glamorous, but I see blessings in everything. The simplest acts of nature- a sunset, a gentle breeze on a warm day- fill my heart with joy. I’m as grateful for a weeklong comped vacation as I am for a cup of cocoa and swing talk with my dad.
I’ve been through enough valleys to treasure the ordinary now. When you’ve faced pain, loss, and surrender, even the simplest things—a warm sweatshirt, freshly baked cookies, an uninterrupted writing block—become sacred.
I’ve learned that joy isn’t found in what happens to me but in Who walks with me.
Hardship will change how you see the world. It can make you jaded, bitter, or closed off.
Or it can make you grateful, awake, and wide-eyed to grace.
When you’ve walked through enough darkness, even an ordinary Friday can start to shine.
faith unfaded 
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